Baskin-Robbins Plans 50 New Outlets in Gulf

Baskin-Robbins, known for its ’31 flavours’, opened its 450th store in the region on Wednesday, at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

Together with Galadari Ice Cream Company, its exclusive licensee in the Gulf, US brand expects to open new 25 parlours by the end of this year and other 25 by the end of next June, executive told news conference.

“We are on an aggressive stance to pursue our expansion plans in spite of the general economic slowdown. We are confident of a sooner-than-expacted turnaround in the region,” Manoj Loya, General Manager of Galadari Ice Cream, said in a statement.

Baskin-Robbins is one of two brands owned by privately-held US Company Dunkin’ Brands Inc. The company’s other brands is Dukin’s Donuts which also operates in the Gulf.

Dukin’s Brands Chief Executive Officers Nigel Travis said that for the past two years, Middle East has been the fastest-growing market in the world for Baskin Robbins.

So far this year, the brand has seen its sales in Middle East grow by more than 20 per cent compared to same period of 2008.

Travis declined to specify the brand’s revenue or profits.

“we believe the middle east will continue to do well”, he said.

“Despite some of struggles at the moment Dubai will continue to grow for long term… Global circumstances affected every country in the world but despite the trouble we are doing very well”.

Baskin-Robbins claims to have 90 percent shares of region’s ice cream parlour business. It is opened its largest store in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in March; the parlous covers total store area of 5,000 square feet. In the UAE, it operates 108 stores.

“Our commitment to the public is to serve premium-quality Baskin-Robbins ice cream no matter where they are in GCC. We are proud to reach landmark 450 stores and there are more coming up,” said Khaled Soliman, Chief operating officer of the Galadari Group, which owns Galadari Ice Cream.

Loya said, Baskin-Robbins and Galadari are exploring new markets in Middle East such as Jordan.

“It is still as early stage. But hopefully by the next year at least we will start in one and two markets in the region”, he said. “The company is also looking at South Africa. There are some strong local players, but the good thing is that there is no international brand”. Galadari Ice Cream’s plans include diversifying into new store formats such as café Baskin Robbins and BR Express, Loya added.